Fenestrated drape with retaining means

ABSTRACT

An improved folded drape of the type wherein the drape is provided with adhesive means for securing the drape to the body of a patient, the adhesive means being on outwardly facing surfaces of panels of the drape when in its folded state prior to use, and having a strip-restraining means preventing unfolding of the panels during preparatory maipulation of the drape prior to application over a patient&#39;&#39;s body extending from and in releasable, covering contact with the adhesive means on one of the panels to and in releasable, covering contact with the adhesive means on another panel.

United States Patent 1191 3,835,851 Villari 1451 Sept. 17, 1974 [54]FENESTRATED DRAPE WITH RETAINING 3,646,937 3/1972 Gellert 128/287 MEANS3,741,206 6/1973 Binard 128 132 D Inventor: Frank K. Villari, 1104 S.Maple,

Oak Park, 111. 60304 Filed: Nov. 26, 1973 Appl. No.: 419,024

Related U.S. Application Data Continuation of Ser. No. 228,857, Feb. 24,1972, abandoned.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1970 Rowland 128/132 D 12/1971Madden 128/132 D 2/1972 Sabee 128/287 Primary Examiner-Richard A. GaudetAssistant ExaminerG. F. Dunne Attorney, Agent, or FirmPowell L. Sprunger[5 7 ABSTRACT An improved folded drape of the type wherein the drape isprovided with adhesive means for securing the drape to the body of apatient, the adhesive means being on outwardly facing surfaces of panelsof the drape when in its folded state prior to use, and having astrip-restraining means preventing unfolding of the panels duringpreparatory maipulation of the drape prior to application over apatients body extending from and in releasable, covering contact withthe ad hesive means on one of the panels to and in releasable, coveringcontact with the adhesive means on another panel.

7 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures tam-@851 PATENTED SEP I 71974 SHEU 3 OF 3ms FIG- ll FENESTRATED DRAPE WITH RETAINING MEANS CROSS-REFERENCE TORELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation, of US. Pat. application Ser.No. 228,857, filed Feb. 24, 1972, now abandoned.

The present invention is related to the co-pending US. Pat. applicationFenestrated Drape, filed July 29, 1971, Ser. No. 167,196, now US. Pat.No. 3,741,206 invented by William J. Binard and John F. Dye, andassigned to the Kendall Company the assignee of the present application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to fenestrateddrapes, and more particularly to drapes having adhering means forsecuring the drape to the body of a patient.

Prior to a percutaneous procedure or surgery, the area of the patientsbody surrounding the location for penetration or incision is usuallysterilized or prepped. Since the area of the body outlying the preppedarea is considered to be in a non-sterile condition, a sterile drape isfrequently placed over the patients body, and the penetration isperformed through an opening in the drape. Such drapes may cover asubstantial portion of the non-sterile body area to preventcontamination of the physician or surgeon during the operation, and confine the flow of fluid which is otherwise inconvenient for the physicianand may result in the spreading of contamination. Preferably, the drapesare secured to the patients body to prevent slippage and movement duringthe procedure, whether the drape is positioned horizontally orvertically on the body.

In the above-identified related application Fenestrated Drape, a foldeddrape is disclosed which may be unfolded and secured to the patient in asimplified manner and having adhesive for securing the drape whichshould be exposed prior to unfolding the drape. However, if the drape isinadvertently unfolded prior to removing peel strips from the adhesive,the drape may become contaminated by subsequent removal of the peelstrips.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The improved folded drape is of the type whichincludes, a sterile main sheet of flexible material having a pair ofside edges extending longitudinally along the sheet, and a pair oflaterally extending end edges connecting the side edges. The main sheethas a first surface for contacting the body of a patient after placementof the drape, and a second surface facing away from the patient afterplacement of the drape. The main sheet has a pair of side panels definedby a pair of sheet fold lines extending longitudinally along the sheetand spaced from the side edges, with the side panels being foldedagainst a central panel extending between the longitudinal fold lines,and with the second surface of the side panels facing the second surfaceof the central panel. A plurality of fold sections are defined in themain sheet by at least one laterally extending fold line in thelongitudinally folded sheet, with the sheet having at least one foldsection extending from an end edge and having side panels facingoutwardly from the laterally folded sheet. The drape includes, adheringmeans on the side panels of the one fold section to secure the sheet tothe patient, with the adhering means having adhesive on both of the sidepanels facing outwardly from the laterally folded sheet. The improvementof the present invention comprises, a peel sheet which releasably coversat least a portion of the adhesive on both of the side panels.

A feature of the present invention is that the peel sheet preventslongitudinal upfolding of the drape about the sheet fold lines prior toremoval of the peel sheet from the adhesive.

In one embodiment of the present invention the peel sheet comprises,flap means which extends from the end edge of the fold section remotethe one fold section, with the flap means covering the adhesive on theone fold section.

A feature of this embodiment of the invention is that the flap meansprevents lateral and longitudinal unfolding of the drape prior toremoval of the flap means from the adhesive.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the main sheet includesa second fold section extending from the other of the end edges andhaving side panels facing outwardly from the laterally folded sheet. Theadhering means includes adhesive on both of the side panels of thesecond fold section facing outwardly from the laterally folded sheet.The peel sheet releasably covers the adhesive on the side panels of boththe one and second fold sections, with the peel sheet extending acrossat least a portion of the end and side edges in the one and second foldsections.

A feature of this embodiment of the invention is that the peel sheetprevents lateral and longitudinal unfolding of the drape prior toremoval of the peel sheet from the adhesive.

Further features will become more fully apparent in the followingdescription of the embodiments of this invention and from the appendedclaims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a fenestrated drape in which theretaining means of the present invention may be readily adapted;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially as indicated along theline 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the adhering means of FIG. 1 takensubstantially as indicated along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the drape of FIG. 1, showingthe removal of a peel strip for place ment of the drape;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the drape of FIG. 1, with a pair of edgepanels being grasped preparatory to placement of the drape;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the drape being lifted by thegrasped edge panels to laterally unfold th drape from the configurationof FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the drape as spread from theconfiguration of FIG. 6 by the grasped edge panels;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the unfolded drape as positioned ona patients body, with the adhering means being pressed against the bodyto secure the drape;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the folded drape of FIG. l having oneembodiment of the retaining means of the present invention;

FIG. is a sectional view of the drape and retaining means of FIG. 9,being taken substantially as indicated along the line l010 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a partially unfolded drape havinganother embodiment of the retaining means of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the drape of FIG. 1 1 in a foldedconfiguration, with the retaining means secured to the adhesive on thedrape;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a drape in a'partially unfoldedconfiguration having adhesive on a second fold section of the drape;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the drape of FIG. 13 in a foldedconfiguration, and another embodiment of the retaining means of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the folded drape and retaining means ofFIG. 14, being taken from the back side of the drape of P16. 14.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The retaining means of thepresent invention may readily be utilized with the type of drapedisclosed in the aboveidentified related application Fenestrated Drape,and for convenience, a description of such a drape is first set forth asa background for discussion of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, a fenestrated drape, generally designated 20,is shown in a folded and unfolded configuration in FIGS. 1 and 7,respectively. The drape comprises a sterile flexible main sheetdesignated generally 22 which may be constructed from any suitablematerial, such as Dexter material X1433K made by C. H. Dexter, adivision of Dexter Corp., and may include a liquid impervious materialto prevent passage of fluid through the sheet during percutaneousprocedures or surgery. Examples of procedures for which the drape 20 maybe conveniently utilized include, myelography, lumbar puncture, spinalanesthesia, needle biopsy, fluid aspiration procedures, and other minorsurgical procedures and diagnostic tests.

The sheet 22 includes a pair of longitudinally extending side edges 24aand b, and a pair of laterally extending end edges 26a and b connectingthe side edges 24a and b. In a preferred form, the sheet 22 has agenerally rectangular shape, with the side and end edges 24a and b and26a and b being generaly parallel. The sheet 22 also has a first surface28 which contacts the body of a patient after placement of the drape 20, and a second surface 30 which faces away from the patient afterplacement of the drape.

In order to obtain the folded drape of FIG. 1, the sheet 22 is firstfolded along longitudinally extending fold lines 32, as bestillustratedin FIGS. 6 and 7, which are spaced from and generally aligned with theside edges 24a and b, with the sheet fold lines 32 defining a pair ofside panels 34 and a central panel 36 extending between the fold lines32. The side panels 34 are folded against the central panel 36 with thesecond surface 30 of the side panels 34 facing the second surface 30 ofthe central panel 36. In addition, the side panels 34 are folded alonglongitudinally extending panel fold lines 38, which are adjacent to andspaced from the side edges 24a and b. The fold lines 38 define a pair ofedge panels 40 which are folded. with the first surface 28 of the edgepanels 40 facing the first surface of the sheet 22 in the side panels34. The sheet 22 may be folded longitudinally such that the panel foldlines 38 are slightly spaced from each other, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6.7

Next, the longitudinally folded sheet, as shown in FIG. 6, is foldedalong laterally extending fold lines 42, and as illustrated in FIGS.5-7, define a plurality of fold sections 44. In a preferred form, thefold lines 42 are generally aligned with the end edges 26a and b, andeach of the fold sections 44 have approximately the same shape. As shownin FIG. 1, the laterally folded sheet includes at least one fold section46 extending from the end edge 26a such that its side panels 34 faceoutwardly from the laterally folded sheet. In a preferred embodiment ofthe drape, the folded sheet may have four fold sections 44, with thedrape being alternately or accordion folded, such that a second remotefold section 47 extends from the other end edge 26b with its side panels34 facing outwardly from the laterally folded sheet, as best illustratedin FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 7, the sheet also may include an opening 41through which the procedure is performed in the placed drape, such as inthe central panel 36 of the fold section adjacentthe one fold section46.

The drape 20 also includes adhering means, generally designated 50, oneach of the side panels 34 in the one fold section 46 to secure thesheet 22 to the patients body. The adhering means 50 includes adhesive52, such as pressure sensitive adhesive, facing outwardly from thelaterally folded sheet, and peel strips 54 may releasably cover theadhesive 52. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, each of the side panels 34 has anopening 56 in the one fold section 46, and a tape strip 58 havingadhesive on one side is adhered to the second surface 30 of the sidepanels 34 such that the one-sided strips 58 cover the openings 56 withadhesive 52 facing through the openings. Since the strips 58 are adheredto the edges of the side panels 34 around the openings 56, the strips 58are securely anchored to the side panels, and the position of theadhesive 52 facing through the openings 56 may readily be determinedfrom the second surface 30 of the sheet 22, since the strips 58 arevisible on that side of the sheet. Other embodiments of the adheringmeans 50 which may be utilized in conjunction with the retaining meansof the present invention are disclosed in the above-identified relatedapplication Fenestrated Drape.

The manner in which the folded drape of FIG. 1 is placed on the body ofthe patient is described as follows, which is preferably performed withsterile gloved hands, as shown. First, the peel strips 54 are removed toexpose the adhesive 52in the adhering means 50, as illustrated in FIG.4. Next, the edge panels 40 in the one fold section 46 are grasped bythe hands, as shown in FIG. 5, and the drape 20 is lifted by the graspededge panels, as illustrated in FIG. 6, such that the sheet 22 laterallyunfolds from its own weight. The drape 20 is then spread by the graspededge panels 40 to the configuration as shown in FIG. 7 to unfold thesheet 22 about the longitudinal fold lines 32 and 38 such that theadhesive 52 faces away from the body of the person unfolding the drape.Next, the unfolded drape 20 is positioned on the patients body with theoepning 41 located over the region of the body in which the procedure isto be performed. If the body surface on which the drape is placed ishorizontally disposed, the edge panels 40 may be released, and theadhering means 50, which, as noted previously, is visible from thesecond surface 30 of the sheet 22, may then be pressed against thepatients body to secure the drape.

However, the drapes 20 are frequently placed on a vertically disposedbody surface, and if the edge panels are released prior to adhering thedrape to the body, the drape may slide from its desired location.Accordingly, the adhering means 50 is positioned sufficiently close tothe edge panels in order that the adhering means may be pressed by theusers thumbs while the edge panels are grasped by the users fingers,after which the edge panels are released.

Thus, during placement, the only portions of the drape which arecontacted by the user are the peel strips 54, the edge panels 40 in theone fold section 46, and the adhering means 50 on the second surface ofthe sheet 22. Accordingly, it is apparent that this minimal contact, andthe simplified manner of placing the drape, significantly reduces thepossibility of contamination to the drape and the physician who may haveplaced the drape.

In order to facilitate the user in aseptically placing the drape on thepatient, indicia on the drape or written instructions may be utilized toguide the user in the proper manner of placement. In the normal course.of events, these instructions would be followed by the user, and thedrape would. be properly secured to the patient withut danger ofcontamination to the drape. However, the possibility remains that thedrape may be unfolded without prior reading of the instructions, or thatthe drape is placed in such a careless manner that a particular step ofthe procedure may be forgotten.

In particular, the drape may be laterally and longitudinally unfoldedprior to removal of the peel strips 54 from the adhesive 52,.thusnecessitating their removal after the drape is unfolded. Once the drapeis in an unfolded configuration, the peel strips are only removed withsome difficulty, since the pair of edge panels 40 are being grasped byboth hands, and removal of the peel strips may necessitate the releaseof one of the edge panels by one of the hands. It is also apparent thatremoval of the peel strips in such a manner poses the possibility thatthe drape may become contaminated, since the peel strips are adjacentthe first contacting surface 28 of the main sheet 22.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention retaining means isprovided to prevent unfolding of the drape prior to exposing theadhesive for use and serves as a reminder to uncover the adhesive. InFIGS. 9 and 10 a drape is shown which is similar in most respects to thedrape described in connection with FIGS. 1-8, with the exception thatthe peel strips 54 have been omitted. In lieu thereof, a single peelsheet 100 extends across the panel fold lines 38 and edge panels 40, andis sufficiently large to cover the adhesive on both of the side panels34 of the one fold section 46. The peel sheet 100 may be constructed ofany suitable material, such as plastic or treated paper, which mayreadily be released from the adhesive 52. The peel sheet 100, whichreleasably covers the adhesive on both of the side panels 34, retainsthe side panels together and prevents longitudinal unfolding of thedrape prior to removal of the peel sheet from the adhesive. Accordingly,the peel sheet must be removed from the adhesive before the drape isunfolded into position for placement on the patient.

Another embodiment of the retaining means of the present invention isillustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. In

this embodiment, the peel sheet comprises flap means, generallydesignated 102, which extends from the end edge 26b of the remote foldsection 47. Preferably, the flap means 102 comprises asingle flap 104extending from a central portion of the end edge 26b along the centralpanel 36 of the remote fold section 47. As shown in FIG. 12, the flap104 has a sufficient width and length to extend around the end edge 26aof the one fold section 46 and cover the adhesive 52 on the one foldsection 46 with the drape in its folded configuration. The flap 104extends across a portion of both the end edge 26a and side edges 24a andb of the one fold section 46, such that the flap retains the side panels34 of the one fold section together and retains the one fold section 46to the second fold section 47. Thus, the flap means 102 prevents bothlateral and longitudinal unfolding of the drape prior to removal of theflap means from the adhesive, and the flap means must be removed fromthe adhesive before the drape is unfolded for placement on the patient.

The flap means 102 may include a release sheet 106 secured to the firstsurface 28 of the flap 104, such that the release sheet is positionedintermediate the flap 104 and the adhesive 52 when the flap means 102 issecured to the adhesive. The release sheet 106 permits easy removal ofthe flap means from the adhesive, and may be constructed of any suitablematerial, such as plastic, which has good release characteristics fromthe adhesive 52. However, it is contemplated that by suitable selectionor treatment of the materials for the main sheet 22, the flap 104 maydirectly contact the adhesive 52 without the necessity for such arelease sheet.

For certain applications of the drape, it is desirable to anchor bothends of the main sheet to the patient. Such a drape is illustrated inFIG. 13, which is similar in most respects to the drape described inconnection with FIGS. l-8, with the exception that adhering means 50includes tape strips 58' secured to the side panels 34 of the remotesecond fold section 47. Adhesive 52' on the strips 58' faces throughopenings 56' in the side panels 34 of the second fold section 47, andfaces outwardly from the sheet 22 when it is in its foldedconfiguration. Accordingly, when this drape is secured to the patient bythe adhesive 52 and 52 at both ends of the main sheet, the drape is heldsecurely to the patient with the opening 41 being positionedintermediate the adhesive 52 and 52'.

Retaining means for the fenestrated drape of FIG. 13 is illustrated inFIGS. 14 and 15. The retaining means comprises a peel sheet 110 having afirst panel 112 for releasably covering the adhesive 52 on the one foldsection 46, a second panel 1 14 for releasably covering the adhesive 52'on the second fold section 47, and an intermediate section 116 extendingbetween the first and second panels 112 and 114. The peel sheet extendsacross at least a portion of the end edge 26a and side.

I claim:

1. An improved folded drape of the type including, a sterile main sheetof flexible material having a pair of side edges extendinglongitudinally along the sheet, a pair of laterally extending end edgesconnecting said side edges, a first surface for contacting the body of apatient after placement of the drape, a second surface facing away fromthe patient after placement of the drape, a pair of side panels definedby a pair of sheet fold lines extending longitudinally along the sheetand spaced from said side edges, said side panels being folded against acentral panel extending between the longitudinal fold lines with thesecond surface of said side panels facing the second surface of saidcentral panel, and a plurality of fold sections defined by at least onelaterally extending fold line in the longitudinally folded sheet, saidsheet having at least one fold section extending from an end edge andhaving side panels facing outwardly from the laterally folded sheet, andincluding, sterile adhering means on the side panels of said one foldsection to secure the sheet to the patient, said adhering means havingadhesive on both of said side panels facing outwardly from the laterallyfolded sheet, wherein the improvement comprises, retaining meansincluding, a peel sheet releasably covering the adhesive on both of saidside panels, whereby said peel sheet prevents unfolding of the drapeabout said sheet fold lines prior to removal of the peel sheet from theadhesive, said main sheet including a second fold section extending fromthe other of said end edges and having side panels facing outwardly fromthe laterally folded sheet, said adhering means including adhesive onboth of the side panels of said second fold section facing outwardlyfrom the laterally folded sheet, with said peel sheet releasablycovering the adhesive on both of the side panels of said one and secondfold sections, and with said peel sheet extending across at least aportion of said end and side edges in said one and second fold sectionsto prevent lateral and longitudinal unfolding of the drape prior toremoval of the peel sheet from the adhesive.

2. The folded drape of claim 1 wherein each of said side panels includelongitudinally extending panel fold lines adjacent to and spaced fromsaid side edges, said panel fold lines defining a pair of edge panelsfor grasping and unfolding said sheet, with said edge panels beingfolded with the first surface of the edge panels facing the firstsurface of said main sheet, and said peel sheet extends across saidpanel fold lines and edge panels to prevent longitudinal unfolding ofthe drape prior to removal of the peel sheet from the adhesive.

3. An improved folded drape of the type including, a sterile main sheetof a flexible material having a pair of side edges extendinglongitudinally along the sheet, a pair of laterally extending end edgesconnecting said side edges, a first surface for contacting the body of apatient after placement of the drape, a second surface facing away fromthe patient after placement of the drape, a pair of side panels definedby a pair of sheet fold lines extending longitudinally along the sheetand spaced from said side edges, said side panels being folded against acentral panel extending between the longitudinal fold lines with thesecond surface of said side panels facing the second surface of saidcentral panel, and a plurality of fold sections defined by at least onelaterally extending fold line in the longitudinally folded sheet, saidsheet having at least one fold section extending from an end edge andhaving side panels facing outwardly from the laterally folded sheet, andincluding, sterile adhering means on the side panels of said one foldsection to secure the sheet to the patient, said adhering means havingadhesive on both of said side panels facing outwardly from the laterallyfolded sheet, wherein the improvement comprises, retaining meansincluding, a peel sheet releasably covering the adhesive on both of saidside panels, whereby said peel sheet prevents unfolding of the drapeabout said sheet fold lines prior to removal of the peel sheet from theadhesive, and said peel sheet comprising, flap means extending from theend edge of the fold section remote said one fold section, said flapmeans releasably covering the adhesive on said one fold section toprevent lateral and longitudinal unfolding of the drape prior to removalof the flap means from the adhesive.

4. The folded drape of claim 3 wherein said flap means comprises, a flapextending from the end edge of the remote fold section, and a releasesheet secured to said flap intermediate the flap and the adhesive.

5. The folded drape of claim 3 wherein said flap means extends from thecentral panel of the remote fold section.

6. The folded drape of claim 3 wherein the remote fold section has sidepanels facing outwardly from the laterally folded sheet.

7. The folded drape of claim 6 wherein said flap means includes a flapextending from the end edge of the remote fold section, with said flapextending across at least a portion of the end and side edges of saidone fold section.

f UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. IDated September 17, 1974 lnv Frank K. Villari It is certified that errorappears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent arehereby corrected as shown below:

In the heading; after "Inventor: Frank K. V illari, 1104 S. Maple, OakPark, Ill. 60304 insert Assignee:

The Kendall Company, Boston Mass Signed and sealed this 10th day ofDecember 1.974.

( E Attest:

GIBSON JR. Tc. MARSHALL DANN McCOY M. v

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 u.s.caveman-r ram-nae OFFICE: lass o-ssa-asl F ORM PO-IOSO (10-69)

1. An improved folded drape of the type including, a sterile main sheetof flexible material having a pair of side edges extendinglongitudinally along the sheet, a pair of laterally extending end edgesconnecting said side edges, a first surface for contacting the body of apatient after placement of the drape, a second surface facing away fromthe patient after placement of the drape, a pair of side panels definedby a pair of sheet fold lines extending longitudinally along the sheetand spaced from said side edges, said side panels being folded against acentral panel extending between the longitudinal fold lines with thesecond surface of said side panels facing the second surface of saidcentral panel, and a plurality of fold sections defined by at least onelaterally extending fold line in the longitudinally folded sheet, saidsheet having at least one fold section extending from an end edge andhaving side panels facing outwardly from the laterally folded sheet, andincluding, sterile adhering means on the side panels of said one foldsection to secure the sheet to the patient, said adhering means havingadhesive on both of said side panels facing outwardly from the laterallyfolded sheet, wherein the improvement comprises, retaining meansincluding, a peel sheet releasably covering the adhesive on both of saidside panels, whereby said peel sheet prevents unfolding of the drapeabout said sheet fold lines prior to removal of the peel sheet from theadhesive, said main sheet including a second fold section extending fromthe other of said end edges and having side panels facing outwardly fromthe laterally folded sheet, said adhering means including adhesive onboth of the side panels of said second fold section facing outwardlyfrom the laterally folded sheet, with said peel sheet releasablycovering the adhesive on both of the side panels of said one and secondfold sections, and with said peel sheet extending across at least aportion of said end and side edges in said one and second fold sectionsto prevent lateral and longitudinal unfolding of the drape prior toremoval of the peel sheet from the adhesive.
 2. The folded drape ofclaim 1 wherein each of said side panels include longitudinallyextending panel fold lines adjacent to and spaced from said side edges,said panel fold lines defining a pair of Edge panels for grasping andunfolding said sheet, with said edge panels being folded with the firstsurface of the edge panels facing the first surface of said main sheet,and said peel sheet extends across said panel fold lines and edge panelsto prevent longitudinal unfolding of the drape prior to removal of thepeel sheet from the adhesive.
 3. An improved folded drape of the typeincluding, a sterile main sheet of a flexible material having a pair ofside edges extending longitudinally along the sheet, a pair of laterallyextending end edges connecting said side edges, a first surface forcontacting the body of a patient after placement of the drape, a secondsurface facing away from the patient after placement of the drape, apair of side panels defined by a pair of sheet fold lines extendinglongitudinally along the sheet and spaced from said side edges, saidside panels being folded against a central panel extending between thelongitudinal fold lines with the second surface of said side panelsfacing the second surface of said central panel, and a plurality of foldsections defined by at least one laterally extending fold line in thelongitudinally folded sheet, said sheet having at least one fold sectionextending from an end edge and having side panels facing outwardly fromthe laterally folded sheet, and including, sterile adhering means on theside panels of said one fold section to secure the sheet to the patient,said adhering means having adhesive on both of said side panels facingoutwardly from the laterally folded sheet, wherein the improvementcomprises, retaining means including, a peel sheet releasably coveringthe adhesive on both of said side panels, whereby said peel sheetprevents unfolding of the drape about said sheet fold lines prior toremoval of the peel sheet from the adhesive, and said peel sheetcomprising, flap means extending from the end edge of the fold sectionremote said one fold section, said flap means releasably covering theadhesive on said one fold section to prevent lateral and longitudinalunfolding of the drape prior to removal of the flap means from theadhesive.
 4. The folded drape of claim 3 wherein said flap meanscomprises, a flap extending from the end edge of the remote foldsection, and a release sheet secured to said flap intermediate the flapand the adhesive.
 5. The folded drape of claim 3 wherein said flap meansextends from the central panel of the remote fold section.
 6. The foldeddrape of claim 3 wherein the remote fold section has side panels facingoutwardly from the laterally folded sheet.
 7. The folded drape of claim6 wherein said flap means includes a flap extending from the end edge ofthe remote fold section, with said flap extending across at least aportion of the end and side edges of said one fold section.